New nuclear talks between US and Iran begin in Geneva
A second round of talks between Iran and the United States, aimed at resolving their dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme, have begun in the Swiss city of Geneva, BBC reported.
The indirect discussions follow repeated military threats against Iran over the country's deadly crackdown on anti-government protests and over its nuclear activities.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One ahead of the latest talks, US President Donald Trump said he believed Iran wanted to make a deal, according to BBC.
Third round of Russia-Ukraine talks to take place as strikes continue
Russian and Ukrainian delegations are set to meet in Geneva for the latest round of US-brokered talks, a week before the fourth anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, BBC reported.
Expectations for a breakthrough remain low, as Moscow has not wavered from its maximalist demands for Ukrainian territory.
Russia's strikes on Ukraine are continuing on a nightly basis, further damaging the country's already battered power grid as subzero temperatures continue, according to BBC.
Tarique Rahman sworn in as new Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Five days after the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), The Hindu reported.
The swearing-in of the new Prime Minister and his ministerial colleagues came hours after Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M Nasir Uddin administered the oath of parliament to the newly elected members of BNP in the parliament of Bangladesh – Jatiyo Sansad.
As the new Prime Minister Mr. Rahman will lead a team of twenty-five cabinet ministers and twenty-four ministers of state, who were all administered oath by President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin, according to The Hindu.
Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s sons fear for his health, seek visas to visit him
Imran Khan's sons say they fear for their father's deteriorating health in a Pakistani jail and are seeking permission to visit the former prime minister, urging the authorities to grant access after more than two years apart, Reuters reported.
Khan's lawyer told Pakistan's Supreme Court last week that the former cricketer had lost significant vision in his right eye while in custody. A medical board said on Feb 16 the swelling had reduced after treatment and his vision had improved.
Speaking to Reuters in London, where they are based, Khan's sons Kasim and Sulaiman, 26 and 29, said they were uncertain about the medical report. They spoke to their father on Feb 12 for the first time since September.
